The Current News: Feb 9 2022

As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022 (a follow-up of our Electric Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum), we are ramping up reportage on the EV scene via The Current.  It’s an ever-evolving, even frantic, landscape of electric vehicles, and it can be tough to keep abreast of all the latest bikes, batteries, and news constantly flooding the market. That’s why we’ve re-launched our weekly EV News Roundup to bring you cherry-picked stories that matter to you. 

Hello dear readers and riders! Are y’all ready for Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re planning to spend time with your honey, your Harley, or your hound, we hope you have an awesome day! This week’s EV news roundup is a doozy. From Jaguar rolling out its own EV platform and an electrified Batmobile to an e-Motorcycle from Triumph and more, here are the EV stories that we think matter most to you. As always, drop us your thoughts, tips, or V-Day love letters at stephanie@thevintagent.com.  Let’s roll.

EVs Are Hitting the Batcave

Earlier this week, Gen-Z architect, Nguyen Dac Chung, revealed his electric Batmobile concept car. Talk about superhero strengths! The fully operational, tactical vehicle can reach speeds of up to 65mph, is assembled from ABS, carbon fiber, and steel, and is powered by a lithium-ion battery. Nicknamed the Tumbler for its tank-like appearance, this ultimate cosplay car also boasts hydraulic doors and four tactical cameras. The vehicle is currently on display at VAN DARYL, an automotive gallery in Vietnam founded by Daryl Villanueva of Bandit9 (we included his L-Concept in our Custom Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum in 2017). “As a kid, I was a fan of superheroes, especially Batman. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to build a Batmobile. All of them. From Adam West’s to Christian Bale’s,” Chung explained. We think Batman would be pleased.

Triumph Goes Electric

Triumph just announced that it’s getting closer to entering the EV space with Phase 3 development of its Triumph TE-1 e-motorbike. While the British bike manufacturer initially decided to test the waters three years ago, its concept is now taking full form. Triumph handled most of the development in house, including the final chassis design. WAE oversaw most of the electronic components, including the prototype battery pack that will harness the power of “dedicated cell packaging for optimum center of gravity.” Integral Powertrain handled the prototype powertrain, which includes its electric motor with silicon carbide switching tech. The bike is estimated to pump out 174 ponies at peak power. Phase 4 of development is slated to take about six months.

Origami EVs

Sweden-based startup, STILRIDE, is revolutionizing the EV industry with its novel approach to manufacturing. Using an innovative technique called industrial origami, STILRIDE uses a potent mixture of design and robotics to fold single sheets of recyclable steel into rugged rides. The company’s first scooters are slated to hit the market later this year.

NAON Zeroes in On Production of Its Zero-One

German startup, NAON, just released its first e-Scooter prototype. Called the “Zero-One,” this premium scoot features an appealing geometric design that explores the concept of low-impact personal mobility. Outfitted with a 2.4kWh battery, the Zero-One can travel 70km on a single charge. If the rider pops the second battery in, they can enjoy a range of about 140km. NAON is offering its new scooter in two different modes, including the L1e, which delivers top speeds of 45 km/h, and the L3e, which tops out at 100 km/h. This makes the L3e one of the quickest e-Scooters in the market. “A high-quality product should offer more than just outstanding look and feel. It is also our responsibility to consider the impact we have on our environment,” NAON stated.

Cake Partners with Polestar

Swedish startup, Cake, has collaborated with Polestar, to create the Cake Makka. Developed as a cargo scooter, the Cake Makka features a tubular structure, vintage aesthetics, and tons of versatility. The e-Scooter’s removable 31Ah 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in just three hours and offers 50km of range. The Makka is available in three different trims, including the Makka Flex, Makka Range, and Polestar Edition, which stands out because of its distinct white color.

 Jaguar Announces Its Own EV Platform

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Thierry Bolloré, announced earlier this week that the luxury automaker has plans to build its own EV platform. Called Panthera, the EV platform will support several electric Jaguar models, and is their new strategy for a totally bespoke Jaguar EV platform, rather than a bought-in platform as they had previously considered.  In effect, Jaguar scrapped its previous EV plans in a pivot towards the luxury end of the market, and needed their own distinctive architecture to make a convincing case for their new EV lineup slated for 2025, when they will cease development (but not sales) of ICE automobiles.

Fresh Funds

• e-Bike startup, Cowboy, raised $80 million in an effort to expand into the US and beyond. The Belgian company hopes to reach more than 100,000 riders by next year. Cowboy currently has two basic models and a ste-thru, and the 42lb bikes have a 70km (42 mile) range.

• Over in Europe, Dott added $70 million to its Series B, bringing its total up to $85 million.